Perth, Western Australia February 10, 2007 Home News Time Out Letters Write a Letter Classifieds Search Real Estate Trades & Services Submit About Contact Us Advertising Legal	Big Brother for civic centre? Cameras may be installed at Cottesloe Civic Centre to protect it from the increasingly frequent vandal attacks. On Australia Day, bottles were broken and a pump and filter that had been installed in a water feature only the day before were pulled out and broken. Neil Ferridge, Cottesloe chief ranger, said damage to the gardens was a constant problem, caused mostly by 14 to 17-year-olds who went there drinking, mostly at weekends but occasionally on midweek nights. Rangers locked the public toilets and gates to the grounds at 5pm daily, but pedestrian gates and paths were always open. Mr Ferridge said: "They are beautiful gardens and the council wants people to enjoy them." The council spends about $10,000 a year on repairs and has a long-term plan to spend nearly $1 million to repair the grounds and gardens. Stephen Tindale, Cottesloe chief executive, said: "Should things escalate, we would look at security cameras and a permanent staff on-site presence in the old caretaker's cottage, subject to the rangers being moved into new offices." Do you have something to say? Write to us and we may publish your letter next week. BACK TO TOP < PREVIOUS - HOME - NEXT> Copyright © 1999 - 2008 Post Newspapers Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.